Merry-go-round museum.



PATENTED MAY 22 J. L. TIDD. MERRY-GO-ROUND MUSEUM.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.5, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

JACOB L. TIDD, OF LANCASTER, OHIO.

MERRY-GO-ROUND MUSEUM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Batented May 22, 1906.

A pli ati filed October 5, 1905. Serial No. 281,491.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB L. TIDD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lancaster, in the county of Fairfield and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Merry-Go-Round Museums, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to devices for the amusement of the public, and more particularly to an improved type of scenic railway. The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will afford amusement to the patrons of the railway while in transit by providing a panoramic view along a portion of the track.

A further object is to so arrange the various elements entering into the device as to add to the pleasure and safety of the passengers and at the same time enable it to be economically housed within a comparatively small tent or other suitable inclosure.

With these objects in view the invention consists, essentially, of a continuous track formed in the shape of a loop, one side of which is elevated and overlooks an inclosure which is provided with suitable scenery, so as to present a panoramic effect.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of the construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description, and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line x as of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view through the track and showing the construction of the guard-rail.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The essential feature of the invention re-' sides in a novel arrangement of the track and inclosure whereby the entire device occupies a comparatively small ground space.

The track 1 is shown in the drawings as lying approximately in the circumference of a circle, one side of which is elevated and supported upon trestles 2, so as to produce a roller-coaster effect when the cars are in motion. The inner face of the trestles 2, or that face located opposite the lower portion of the track and the entrance to the tent or inclosure 3, is shielded or covered with scenery for representing rocks and gives the cars the appearance of running upon a ledge along the side of a mountain. This rock effect is carried up on the opposite side of the track, and a horizontal opening 5 is left therein, which presents the appearance of a fissure in the side of a mountain and forms an opening through which the occupants of the cars can look into the inclosure 6, which is fitted up to present a panoramicview. This inclosure 6, or Wonder Land, as it may be called, is provided with scenery giving the effect of waterways, forests, jungles, &c., and any of the means known in the art may be employed to obtain the most impressive results. The track7 runs through the Wonder Land approximately parallel to the main track and is connected thereto at the lower portion by means of a spiral track 8. The track 7 within the inclosure is used exclusively for roller-boats or special cars which travel back and forth therein for the use of fairies, singers, musicians, &c. A series of suitable cars which are connected or coupled together run upon the main track 1, one of the cars being provided with a motor adapted to supply power for moving the entire train. The electricity is supplied to this motor by means of a feedrail 9, which is located at an intermediate point between the two rails of the main track. In order to prevent accidents and to safeguard the cars against turning over, a guard-rail 10 is provided along the outside of the track and is so situated as to be slightly spaced from the top of the tread of the outside wheels. This guard-rail 10 comprises two spaced strips of metal having rollers or wheels 11 mounted between them at close intervals, said rollers eliminating friction, which would otherwise have a disastrous effect when the wheel came into contact with the guardrail.

Owing to the particular arrangement of the various parts, it will be apparent that the device disclosed herein has several advantages over those heretofore in use. By elevating a portion of the track the double result is accomplished of forming a wall which enables the Wonder Land to be shielded from the general view without placing it at some remote point and also of giving a rollercoaster effect as the cars move around the track.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1.. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a continuous track in the form of a loop, one side of which is elevated,

a train of cars running upon the track, one of form of a loop,

the cars being provided with a motor, a feedrail located at an intermediate point between the two rails of the main track and adapted to supply electricity to the motor, a guard-rail running around the outside of the track and located a short distance above the top of the tread of the outside wheels, and an inclosure located adjacent the elevated portion of the track and provided'with amusement devices.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a continuous track in the form of a loop, one side of which is elevated, a train of cars running upon the track, one of the cars being provided with a motor, a feedrail located at an intermediate point between the two rails of'the main track and adapted to supply electricity to the motor, a guard-rail extending around the track and slightly spaced from the top of the tread of the outside wheel, said guard-rail comprising two spaced members having rollers or wheels mounted between them at short intervals, and an inclosure located adjacent the elevated portion of the track and provided with scenery to present a panoramic view.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a continuous track in the one side of which is elevated, a train of cars running upon the track, one of the cars being provided with a motor, a feedrail located at an intermediate point between the two rails of the main track and adapted to supply electricity to the motor, a guardrail extending around the track and slightly spaced from the top of the tread of the outside wheel, said guard-rail comprising two spaced members having rollers or wheels mounted between them at short intervals, an

inclosure located adjacent the elevated porv tion of the track and provided with scenery to present a panoramic view, and a track running through the inclosure approximately parallel to the main track and upon which special commodation of fairies, musicians, &c., said track being connected to the main track at the lower portion thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB L. TIDD. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

WILL E. NEWMAN, F. FULKERSON.

cars travel back and forth for the ac- 

